Iga Swiatek’s season has change into very sophisticated in latest months. The Polish participant didn’t get the outcomes she needed within the final a part of the season, whereas her nice rival Aryna Sabalenka raised her degree by successful the WTA in Cincinnati and particularly the US Open.
The French Open champion appeared to be in hassle from all factors of view within the final interval and has skipped a number of tournaments worrying her followers. Regardless of latest difficulties, the world no 1 has nonetheless gained a Grand Slam title proving to be nearly unbeatable on crimson clay.
The inertia of Iga’s season modified on the Paris Olympics, the place she was the large favourite to win the gold medal. Swiatek has disillusioned expectations by having to accept the bronze medal and since that point she has not been capable of play her greatest tennis. Just a few days in the past, information was introduced that shocked tennis followers world wide.
Iga desires one thing totally different
Swiatek introduced the top of her lengthy skilled collaboration along with her longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski, together with whom she has gained 4 Majors, 9 WTA 1000 and the WTA Finals, in addition to being no 1 on this planet for over 120 weeks. After giving up taking part in the WTA in Beijing, Swiatek introduced that he is not going to take part within the WTA 1000 in Wuhan. This choice critically jeopardizes her management within the WTA rating.
“Coach Wiktorowski joined my workforce for 3 seasons, after I strongly wanted modifications and a recent method to my recreation,” Iga wrote. “His expertise, analytical and strategic perspective and massive information about tennis helped us to realize issues I’ve by no means dreamed of only some months after we began working collectively.
“Our most important objective was to change into No.1 participant on this planet and coach Wiktorowski was the one who mentioned it first. We aimed very excessive, we headed to each match with a transparent objective to win it. Along with coach Wiktorowski we gained many tournaments and 4 Grand Slams. Coach, THANK YOU, I want you all the most effective,” Swiatek wrote. “I do know that you just want to relaxation after these 3 years of exhausting work and touring so much and spending some nicely deserved time along with your family members and I hope you may get what you want.”
She additionally added: “Attributable to this necessary change on my workforce, I give myself a few weeks to begin a cooperation with a brand new coach. I am in the midst of first talks with coaches from overseas (non-Polish) as a result of I am able to take the subsequent step of my profession. I’ll let you understand after I decide.”
Barbara Schett on Swiatek
The followers hope that the Polish participant will discover the precise serenity to shut in the easiest way a 2024 that has given her a lot satisfaction.
Talking with Eurosport, Barbara Schett opened up on Swiatek’s present standing: “Iga Swiatek could also be primary on this planet, however she nonetheless desires to develop her recreation exterior of clay, for instance on grass and exhausting grass. It should be acknowledged that this has probably not occurred within the final two years. She is in search of one thing totally different, an out of doors look, as a result of at this degree, each element counts.
I’m not stunned she’s in search of somebody from overseas and never Poland. She wants one other pair of eyes and totally different stimulation. I used to be very disillusioned by the way in which she performed at Wimbledon and the US Open, the place she was so one-dimensional and couldn’t adapt tactically. She was speeding however probably not in search of options. She will be able to definitely develop her recreation much more and be taught when to defend and when to maneuver ahead.”
If she will get good outcomes on this final a part of the season, Sabalenka has a very good probability to overhaul Iga on the prime of the WTA rating. Except there are any surprises, the Polish participant ought to be within the WTA Finals. ATP legend John McEnroe additionally mirrored on Swiatek’s latest difficulties: “For me, she doesn’t need to play protection. Generally she ought to again up a bit when the assault doesn’t work in addition to she would love, akin to on clay.
She continues to attempt to hit, which is considerably stunning for somebody who prefers a slower floor. I used to be a little bit stunned that she didn’t need or can’t make changes on the quicker surfaces. I don’t know if she had a drop in confidence, however when you noticed somebody like Iga defend in addition to she assaults, it might be exhausting for the opponents to beat. I’m a little bit stunned she didn’t make that adjustment, however she’s younger and hopefully she will adapt and enhance a bit within the internet.”